The NPLW Victoria was rolled out to much fan-fare in 2016 and in it’s inaugural season, has delivered in its promise to foster a more competitive womens top-flight competition. Nine teams slogged it out for 24 games plus finals as Calder United claimed a league double to establish themselves as the powerhouse of the competition. In full retrospect of the 2016 season, we honour some of the best performers of 2016 in The Corner Flag’s Team of the Season, which you can have your say in by voting via the poll below.
There not only to supplement the strike force, the modern day winger is now also expected to operate as an inside forward and chip in with their fair share of goals throughout the league campaign. Some of the NPLW’s biggest blue chip names plied their trade operating in a wide forward role, where they had the space in front of them to operate to the full extent of their creative abilities to help set up teammates, or find the back of the net themselves. Here are some of the very best wingers from this NPLW season.
NPLW Victoria Team of the Season: Goalkeepers
NPLW Victoria Team of the Season: Centre Backs
NPLW Victoria Team of the Season: Fullbacks
NPLW Victoria Team of the Season: Central Midfielders
NPLW Victoria Team of the Season: Attacking Midfielders
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Melina Ayres (Alamein FC)
(Feature Image)
The 17-year-old continues to evolve her game as each season passes by, with this her finest season at state league level yet for the talented Alamein FC winger. One of the most dangerous players in the league, Ayres doesn’t need to see much of the ball to have an impact, able to score and create on just about any spot on the pitch, as was evident by some of her brilliant solo goals this season. Took home just about everything there was to win at the FFV Gold Medal night (aside from the coveted best and fairest), winning the Golden Boot (23 goals), Players’ Player of the Year and Rising Star award.
Beattie Goad (Bulleen Lions)
Goad proved once again why she’s been touted as one of Victoria’s brightest talents, with another dazzling season at state league level, where this year she’s learnt to fully take games by the scruff of their neck. Six goals and a number of assists from the flank marked a brilliant start to the season before she rushed off to America where she’s currently playing in the college system with the prestigious Stanford University.
Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
It was a season marred by injuries, but when she was on the park, Hannah Keane was majestic. The American winger looked a class above this league on her day, grabbing three hat-tricks and two braces in a 15 goal season. It was this ability to be a true game breaker that saw her take out the NPLW Media’s Player of the Year at Gold Medal Night.
Cindy Lay (Calder United)
While she may have started the season slowly, Cindy Lay found her best form in the back end of the season to help Calder United to an inaugural NPLW title. The former Bulleen Lions midfielder floated across a number of positions this season, but played a fair chunk of her football in an unfamiliar wide position. She was able to showcase her best football there, scoring seven goals for the season at her new club.
Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
The second Bulleen winger to make the list of nominations and it’s a well deserved spot for Lia Privitelli who enjoyed one of her most consistent season of football after so many disappointing injuries throughout the last few years. Privitelli was electric and destructive when at her best and proved a nightmare to mark for opposition fullbacks across the league, finishing as Bulleen’s second top scorer with seven goals.
Kariah White (Galaxy United)
Kariah White played a starring role in the NPLW Grand Final, supplying a great assist for Caitlin Pickett’s opener. It wasn’t enough to claim the inaugural league title, but it takes nothing away from her strong season on the flank for Galaxy United. ‘Squirt’ – as she is affectionately known as – worked hard throughout the season in both an attacking and defensive sense, finishing as her side’s equal top scorer. A brilliant return to the Victorian top-flight and it looks like she’s loving football again after a two year absence.
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